House Sacks Tax Break For Dolphins, Throws Huizenga For Loss

LEGISLATURE '97

April 29, 1997|By Angela Bradbery Tallahassee Bureau

TALLAHASSEE — In a stunning upset to billionaire H. Wayne Huizenga, the House on Monday rejected a controversial $60 million tax break for his Miami Dolphins. The outcome was a reversal from last week, when enough lawmakers approved the measure to shepherd it forward.

''We didn't win today. We needed to,'' said Stan Smith, spokesman for Huizenga Holdings. ''This is not a predictable process. We'll have to fight again another day.''

The outcome surprised even veteran lawmakers, who later said they expected the tax break to pass.

''If you had asked me this morning, I would have told you it was going to go through,'' said Rep. Steve Geller, D-Pembroke Pines, who voted against the tax break.

Last week the House voted 71-31 against a request to kill the $2 million-a-year tax break for Huizenga's Pro Player Stadium. Huizenga already gets the same tax break for the stadium on behalf of the Florida Marlins baseball team.

Public outcry over the tax break, along with some political arm-twisting, apparently turned the vote around.

''I got more calls and letters on this than any other issue,'' Geller said.

Jim Weldon, a union leader who organized last week's anti-tax break rally, also was pleased.

''We are very happy that the Legislature has seen the wisdom of not subsidizing the wealthy,'' Weldon said. ''A much better use can be made of that tax money.''

Huizenga's forces said the Dolphins contribute to the economy and that it's only fair the team should have the same tax break extended to other Florida teams. They also argued that the stadium needs to be in top shape to lure major sports events, such as the 1999 Super Bowl, which is scheduled to be played there.

To sweeten the deal, Huizenga Holdings offered to spend $1.5 million to build a job-training center for welfare recipients and to set up a $2 million college scholarship fund for needy students.

That didn't convince enough legislators.

In the debate preceding the 61-50 vote, some lawmakers said they didn't want to give a public handout to someone so wealthy.

''This is ridiculous,'' said Rep. Bob Starks, R-Casselberry. ''This is the mother of all turkeys.''